Detection of Brucella canis in blood, urine and seminal fluid of a naturally infected dog by PCR

Abstract

Canine Brucellosis is a bacterial infectious disease that affects dogs around the world. The laboratory diagnosis is based on direct and indirect methods and should be performed when there is evidence from clinical and epidemiological signs. In this study, we observed scrotal dermatitis recurrent and resistant to treatment in six years dog, Golden Retriever. An AGID serological test for brucellosis was positive. However, serological tests may show unspecific reactions and false positive results. Blood culture is indicated as a confirmatory test. The result of the culture was negative in all materials tested (blood cultures, urine culture and semen in tryptose broth and blood agar). Thus, the blood, urine and semen samples were tested by PCR and all samples tested were positive. After castration, the histologic evaluation showed inflammatory infiltrate in the epididymis. Vacuolar degeneration of the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules was observed in the testicular parenchyma without testicular atrophy. Morphological semen evaluation showed sperm abnormalities as strongly folded tail, loose heads, curly tails, head-head, corroborating the diagnosis of brucellosis. PCR was crucial to the canine brucellosis final diagnosis, demonstrating the high sensitivity and efficiency of this test, suggesting that PCR should be included as a confirmatory test, aimed at preventing the spread of this important zoonosis.

Zoonotic smooth and rough Brucella in dogs: seroprevalence and associated factors in an Atlantic Rainforest area of the state of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil

“…However, it is noteworthy that 87% of the sampled adult animals in this study were not neutered, which could be an associated factor. Thus, venereal disease transmission remains to be an important mode of transmission due to contact with vaginal fluids (KEID et al, 2007), urine and semen of infected animals (VOLKWEIS et al, 2018). The older the animal, the greater the chances of mating.…”